Business Mentors NZ Launched in Ruapehu

Economic
development in Ruapehu has received a significant boost with
the establishment of Business Mentors NZ (BMNZ) services in
the district.

BMNZ a not for profit charitable trust that
puts experienced business people together with small to
medium business to provide free ‘one-to-one’ mentoring
has assisted over 60,000 NZ businesses from across over 200
industries.

The launch of BMNZ in Ruapehu has been driven
by local business owner Ann Mayer who runs her own
successful telemarketing, training and call centre
consultancy, Mayer Consultants Ltd, from Taumarunui.

Ms
Mayer who has been involved with business mentoring for over
17 years said that the BMNZ services are now available to
small to medium business across Ruapehu.

“We currently
have six registered mentors in Ruapehu who are all
successful and experienced business people in their own
right,” she said.

“All our mentors understand small
business and share the desire to give something back to
their community and the local business sector through
sharing their business knowledge and experience.”

“No
matter what your business challenges are, or even if your
business is currently going well, a business mentor can add
value through bringing specialist advice or a fresh
perspective.”

Ms Mayer noted that BMNZ has a special
initiative aimed at increasing business mentoring support to
rural businesses.

“The rural mentoring services provides
support not only to farmers but to all the businesses that
support the farming community such as local trades people,
fencers, contractors, farm suppliers and others,” she
said.

“One of the big things that rural businesses often
face is a feeling of isolation.”

“A business mentor
can take that away and provide an experienced sounding board
and help reduce stress during periods of drought or other
issues.”

Ms Mayer added that BMNZ was always looking to
add to its pool of business mentors.

“If you feel that
you have the skills and experience necessary to mentor a
business owner we would love to hear from you,” she
said.

“Mentors can come from all types of businesses
with a wide range of skills from specialists through to
simply having broad general business
experience.”

“However no matter what their background
or experience a must have attribute is an empathetic
ear.”

“Being a BMNZ mentor is a ‘real buzz’ and I
can assure you from my own experience that you will find it
to be both fulfilling and rewarding.”

Ruapehu District
Council (RDC) Mayor, Don Cameron, said that the
establishment of BMNZ services in Ruapehu would help enhance
small business sustainability in the district.

“RDC
would like to applaud Ann for her commitment and hard work
in getting business mentoring up and running in Ruapehu,”
he said.

“We see the business mentoring service as a
critical cog in helping to boost Ruapehu economic
development.”

Anyone wanting to apply to become a BMNZ
mentor or to register their interest in receiving mentoring
services should see www.businessmentors.org.nz

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